This appeared in the most recent edition of the Portland Business Journal:

While international exports are a well-known economic driver and matter of pride for Oregon, Oregon also imports from abroad a substantial volume of goods, largely to supply the same manufacturers and growers producing the cherished exports.

In a surprise move, the tiny Republic of Ireland has climbed from No. 8 last year to No. 1 this year with imports to the state valued at $3 billion, a 425 percent increase. Now that’s a lot of Guinness —or more likely, a lot of processors and controllers for electronic integrated circuits, the state’s No. 1 product, representing 19 percent of import value and 30 percent of export value last year.